It's true that in the UK it is not a first. We have seen the rainbow bus, the rainbow pedestrian crossings, it is also found in other countries as the United States, so are we really surprised by "Gay”, the totally pink plane? :)

Must also say that the airline has the habit of naming its planes with names like "TF-KID", "TF-DAD", "TF-SIS", also the name of the company itself "WOW" means "MOM" in reverse.

"TF-Gay" is the Airbus A330 which will connect Iceland to San Francisco. The idea for the name came from a pilot who then submitted it to the CEO that loved it. Its name is a clear reference to the gay movement.

As for persons who could have a problem to travel in a pink plane called GAY, here's what CEO Skùli Mogensen says:

"If I worried or scared of what people might say about me or what I do, then WOW air wouldn't exist.

"Prejudice and narrow-mindedness are usually the result of ignorance and an inferiority complex. So such views judge themselves."

For the first time, a meeting was held between U.S. LGBT Envoy for the Human Rights, Randy Berry, and Vatican officials.

Berry said he spoke with officials, including representatives of the Holy See’s Secretary of State office.

Since his appointment in April by President Barack Obama, Randy Berry has traveled the world going to meet religious leaders and governments to talk about LGBT rights, particularly addressing issues of violence and discrimination. It was recently for example in Uganda and also in Jamaica.Berry took advantage of his trip across Europe to request an appointment at the Vatican.

"I wanted a chance to brief Vatican officials myself," Berry said. "These issues of violence and extreme discrimination are of concern to us all."

Don't expect concrete results, of course, there won't be any change of perspective on marriage equality by the Vatican.

"It was an important first dialogue and I hope that we will continue," Berry added. "I get to do a lot of really amazing things in this job. It was quite a positive experience."

The UN Security Council holds a meeting for the first time to discuss the persecution of LGBT people by the terrorist group ISIL (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant).

Samantha Power, US ambassador to the UN, said just before the meeting that it would focus on «ISIL and its systematic targeting of LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) persons who find themselves in ISIL-controlled territory.»

The terrorist group has carried out numerous executions of men accused of homosexuality in recent times through Syria, Iraq and Libya.

Last Friday, Ellen Page was left facing the Republican candidate Ted Cruz over LGBT rights.

During the Iowa State Fair, Texas Senator Ted Cruz, now a candidate for the presidential election of 2016, well known for his opposition to LGBT rights, found himself facing Canadian actress Ellen Page who took the opportunity to address discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity as well as the persecution suffered by LGBT people facing the «religious freedom».

Secretary General of the UN Ban Ki-Moon had decided that all same-sex couples could enjoy the same benefits granted to heterosexual married couples even if the couple is from a country or a state which does no legalized marriage equality.

Russia had then made threats, it thought to include blockade on the vote of an important economic law.

But the anti-LGBT motion of Russia was rejected by a 80-43 vote with 37 abstentions.

In July 2014, the United Nations (UN), through the voice of its Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, announced the opening of benefits to married same-sex couples, or in a civil union, even though the country or the state in which they live does not recognize them.

Today, Russia tries to block the measure that could benefit 44,000 employees.

A Russian diplomat threatens to force such a vote against a measure which is important and desired by the leaders of the organization in the Budget Committee.

The diplomat believes in fact that the measure on equality between employees of the UN «violates the sovereign rights of member states to determine the legal framework of [the] life of their citizens.»

Jessica Stern (International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission) explained that «[Russia] is looking for any excuse to curtail the UN Secretary-General’s authority.

«It’s no secret that the Secretary-General and Russia have been at cross-purposes over Ukraine and Syria, and the Russians have found the perfect political vehicle for attacking him,» she said.

]]>info@lezbelib.com (E-Li)WorldwideTue, 10 Mar 2015 16:59:48 +0000ILGA's Conference To Be Held In Mexico City From October 27 To 31https://www.lezbelib.com/worldwide/ilga-s-conference-to-be-held-in-mexico-city-from-october-27-to-31
https://www.lezbelib.com/worldwide/ilga-s-conference-to-be-held-in-mexico-city-from-october-27-to-31

The 27th World Conference of ILGA (International Lesbian Gay Bisexual Trans & Intersex Association), which is the largest association for the defense of the LGBTI rights in the world, will take place from October 27 to 31, 2014 in Mexico City.

"De-colonizing our bodies" is the name given to the conference this year.

You should know that more than 450 representatives of organizations as well as UN representatives and academics will meet to talk about LGBT rights to make things move and then solve issues.

]]>info@lezbelib.com (E-Li)WorldwideMon, 27 Oct 2014 16:26:25 +0000The Most Welcoming Countries For The LGBT Community Are European Countrieshttps://www.lezbelib.com/worldwide/the-most-welcoming-countries-for-the-lgbt-community-are-european-countries
https://www.lezbelib.com/worldwide/the-most-welcoming-countries-for-the-lgbt-community-are-european-countries

Yesterday, we had focused on Asia after a poll of the most welcoming countries for the LGBT community. The Philippines had led the way, some of you have pointed out elsewhere the beauty of Filipinos women that cannot be denied. Today, end of suspense, here is the result for the rest of the world!

Where does the LGBT community like to live?

Europe continues to lead, with a very good result also of Canada. European residents estimated at 75% it was good to live in Europe for the LGBT community.

As you can see in the picture below, it was the Netherlands who topped. Note the very good performance of Ireland which should vote on marriage equality next year.

African countries such as Uganda and Mali are found among the latter unsurprisingly as laws criminalize and condemn the LGBT community to prison.

To conclude, Gallup has decided not to conduct the poll in the following countries, saying the issue was "too sensitive": Egypt, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Iran, Nigeria, Bahrain, Bhutan, Iraq, Kuwait, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan and Yemen.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon announced that all same-sex marriages within the staff of the organization would be recognized. So far, the UN recognized civil unions or marriages of people living in countries where marriage equality is legal. The new policy will apparently affect 43,000 people.

A few weeks ago, the Human Rights Council of the United Nations adopted a resolution to protect the families, but the part including LGBT people had been blocked.

Indeed, several countries (Uruguay, Chile, Ireland and France) wanted an amendment stating that there are "various forms of families" be added to the resolution but Russia blocked it.

It's quite possible that Russia tries to add a "traditional values" amendment to this resolution at the next council meeting in September.

From now on, the United Nations General Assembly is chaired by Sam Kutesa, Foreign Minister of Uganda, a country that criminalize homosexuality and forces people to denounce homosexual relationships.

Following the rotation of the countries to chair the Assembly, African states were designated and only Kutesa was a candidate. He has been elected despite the strong protest of the associations that fight for LGBT rights, such as Human Rights Campaign.

He said he would dedicate his term to fight against poverty and hunger, and added that he was "not homophobe" (really?) as long as it remains in private.